The refinery, the largest employer in Curaçao in 1969, worked with a number of contractors. Wescar or “Werkspoor Caribbean NV” was one of them. The workers of the contractors were paid less than the Shell workers for equal labor.
"equal pay, for equal work"
When the Labor Agreement (CAO) of Wescar expired on 6 May and a new agreement had to be negotiated, the Wescar workers demanded "equal pay, for equal work." The Wescar management, however, did not - or at least insufficiently - meet their demands which led to a labor dispute. Ewald Ong A Kwie, president of the union "Curaçao Federation of Workers” (CFW), which represented Wescar workers, declared a strike and called for a solidarity strike. He received strong support. All subcontractors of Shell and other unions such as the General Dockworkers Union (AHU) and the Metal Workers Union (CADMU) expressed their support.
Casa Sindikal 29 mei
On the evening of 29 May, the unions met at the Casa Sindical in Pietermaai to decide whether a general strike would be declared. On that night the first signs of unrest were already visible when some passing cars were stormed. The next day, 30 May, a solidarity strike was announced. The strikers gathered at Post V; one of Shell’s entrances to the plant. The leaders of the dock workers, Wilson "Papa" Godett and Amador Nita, were also present at Post V.
Ong A Kwie
The trio Ong A Kwie, Godett and Nita led a mass of about 4.000, later 5.000 people to the center of government, Fort Amsterdam.
At the beginning of the march, a car and some drums were set on fire. Henderson Supermarket at the “Schottegatweg” was ransacked, providing the strikers with large amounts of alcohol.
Wilson "Papa" Godett
The trio Ong A Kwie, Godett and Nita led a mass of about 4.000, later 5.000 people to the center of government, Fort Amsterdam.
At the beginning of the march, a car and some drums were set on fire. Henderson Supermarket at the “Schottegatweg” was ransacked, providing the strikers with large amounts of alcohol.
Amador Nita
The trio Ong A Kwie, Godett and Nita led a mass of about 4.000, later 5.000 people to the center of government, Fort Amsterdam.
At the beginning of the march, a car and some drums were set on fire. Henderson Supermarket at the “Schottegatweg” was ransacked, providing the strikers with large amounts of alcohol.
"Respect" and "recognition" had become the motive, the right to equal pay the underlying slogan.
At “Parera” a police cordon was set up to stop the masses from advancing. It all went amiss here.
The front line of the police was pelted with stones and bottles; so they decided to retreat southwards, towards the “Kerkhofweg.” The protesters advanced and looted an abandoned police truck, set it on fire, and then one of the strikers, Manuel Gutierrez, ran into or crashed into the police line. He was shot and killed by the police. Another protester, Orlando Gerardina, was probably fatally hit by a ricocheting police bullet.
"Respect" and "recognition" had become the motive, the right to equal pay the underlying slogan.
At “Parera” a police cordon was set up to stop the masses from advancing. It all went amiss here.
The front line of the police was pelted with stones and bottles; so they decided to retreat southwards, towards the “Kerkhofweg.” The protesters advanced and looted an abandoned police truck, set it on fire, and then one of the strikers, Manuel Gutierrez, ran into or crashed into the police line. He was shot and killed by the police. Another protester, Orlando Gerardina, was probably fatally hit by a ricocheting police bullet.
"Respect" and "recognition" had become the motive, the right to equal pay the underlying slogan.
At “Parera” a police cordon was set up to stop the masses from advancing. It all went amiss here.
The front line of the police was pelted with stones and bottles; so they decided to retreat southwards, towards the “Kerkhofweg.” The protesters advanced and looted an abandoned police truck, set it on fire, and then one of the strikers, Manuel Gutierrez, ran into or crashed into the police line. He was shot and killed by the police. Another protester, Orlando Gerardina, was probably fatally hit by a ricocheting police bullet.
Wilson "Papa" Godett was also shot by the police.
He was injured and taken to hospital. When Ong A Kwie and Nita left the scene to take Godett to hospital, the leaderless angry mob was left at the entrance of Punda.
A large number of shops in Punda and Otrobanda was set on fire.
Fort Amsterdam was sealed and protected by soldiers. 60 buildings were destroyed by fire. Around 100 shops were damaged and looted. The total damage was estimated at about 50 million Antillean guilders.
A large number of shops in Punda and Otrobanda was set on fire.
Fort Amsterdam was sealed and protected by soldiers. 60 buildings were destroyed by fire and around 100 shops were damaged and looted. The total damage was estimated at about 50 million Antillean guilders.
A large number of shops in Punda and Otrobanda was set on fire.
Fort Amsterdam was sealed and protected by soldiers. 60 buildings were destroyed by fire. Around 100 shops were damaged and looted. The total damage was estimated at about 50 million Antillean guilders.
A large number of shops in Punda and Otrobanda was set on fire.
Fort Amsterdam was sealed and protected by soldiers. 60 buildings were destroyed by fire. Around 100 shops were damaged and looted. The total damage was estimated at about 50 million Antillean guilders.
30 May 1969 had a significant impact.
The emancipation of the Afro-Curaçao citizens gained momentum, the call for the Netherlands to get behind the islands demands for independence grew louder, Aruba's call for “Status Aparte” (an autonomous status within the Kingdom) became more prominent, and minimum wage and labor were tightly regulated.
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